House passes bond bill with $50M for new small bridge program

The House unanimously passed a transportation bond bill on June 22 that would provide $50 million over five years for a new municipal small bridge program.
 
The program addresses bridges with spans of 10 to 20 feet for which cities and towns are responsible. The program would provide much-needed funding for the design, construction, preservation, reconstruction and repair of non-federally aided bridges.
 
The program would allow for a maximum reimbursement of $500,000 per year per municipality. Projects would be chosen based on a number of criteria, including a municipality’s financial need and the structural condition of the bridge.
 
There are approximately 1,300 municipal bridges across the state with spans between 10 and 20 feet.
 
The MMA testified in support of the bill at a July 5 hearing before the Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. Massachusetts Highway Administrator Thomas Tinlin also testified in support.
 
The House’s bond bill includes language to make several changes to the “complete streets” program, which encourages cities and towns to redesign and modernize streets to accommodate all types of users. The changes would reduce some of the requirements for municipalities to participate in the program. So far, more than 200 communities have participated in complete streets training to learn more about the initiative.
 
The House bill also includes funding authorization for the federal aid highway program.
 
Gov. Charlie Baker filed a transportation bond bill in February that included a $200 million Chapter 90 bond authorization as well as the municipal small bridge program. The Chapter 90 bond was passed as a stand-alone bill in April.
 
The municipal small bridge program was included in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s 2017-2021 Capital Investment Plan.